The Bear
A bold redevelopment with deep roots
In a remarkable blend of heritage and innovation, a historically significant urban site - once home to a Ragged School - has been reimagined into a vibrant new church and pioneering housing development.
This ambitious project showcases the power of thoughtful design and community collaboration in transforming a constrained city space into a hub of faith, art, and living.
Unlocking Hidden Value
As the housing crisis deepens, a powerful yet often overlooked opportunity lies in partnering with the nation’s churches. With deep roots in their communities, access to underused land and a mission grounded in service and compassion, churches are uniquely positioned to help reimagine social housing, not only as shelter for those in need but as a foundation for community regeneration.
our approach
Collaboration at the core
The success of this redevelopment lies in the extraordinary partnership among highly motivated and invested organisations. At the heart of this effort is KILO, serving as a coordinator and driving force behind the project’s realisation.
This initiative brings together diverse stakeholders, each contributing unique expertise and passion:
- An active church and community organisation deeply connected to the existing building, bringing vision and local insight.
- A specialist charity, which, as the site’s freeholder, provided essential stewardship and guidance.
- A developer with a strong commitment to housing, community, and the arts, ensuring the project delivers meaningful value to its residents and neighbours.
Value of work: £7,000,000
Status: Completed
Type of contract: Development Agreement
Services: Architecture
